Article support



June 10, 1941. E. E. HAWK ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 15, 1939 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORN E YS.

June 10, 1941. E. E. HAWK ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 whza Jiliflawh INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 10, 1941 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE SUPPORT Ernest Everett Hawk, Tampa, Fla.

Application December 15, 1939, Serial No. 309,501

1 Claim.

The object of this invention is to provide an article support so constructed that it may be used. for a variety of purposes, and to furnish novel means whereby that end is'accomplished.

It is within the province of the disclosure to .improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of :parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, used upon a bed;

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic side elevations, illustrating other uses of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, wherein parts are broken away;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental transverse section, illustrating a portion of the keeper and its mounting;

Fig. 6 is a cross section illustrating the mounting of the braces;

Fig. '7 is an elevation showing a portion of the auxiliary frame;

Fig. 8 is an elevation illustrating the mounting of the braces;

Fig. 9 is a fragmental longitudinal section taken through a portion of one of the legs of the main frame;

Fig. 10 is a fragmental elevation illustrating a means whereby the article may be carried about.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic elevation illustrating the article used as a table.

The device forming the subject matter of this application may be made of metal. It includes an inverted, U-shaped main frame I, comprising an end member 2 and parallel legs 3.

A table 4 is provided, and is mounted on the main frame I for vertical adjustment at the will of an operator. The table 4 has side wings 5, disposed outwardly of the legs 3 of the main frame I, the wings being supplied with flanges 5, extending behind the frame legs 3. A tongue 1 extends a little way above the upper edge of the table 4 and is disposed midway between the wings 5 of the table. Securing elements 8 attach the tongue I to the rear surface of the table 4.

In the upper end of the tongue I is mounted a holding device 9, such as a bolt and wing nut, mounted for adjustment in an elongated slot I0, formed in a hang-er I I having a hook I2, held on the end member 2 of the main frame I by a securing device I4.

At its lower edge, the table 4 is supplied with an outstanding ledge I5, adapted for the support of a book I6. A resilient, bail-shaped keeper I1 is supplied and has outwardly extended bows I8 at its ends, facilitating the operation of the keeper. The bows I8 merge into arms I9, disposed outwardly of the side wings 5 of the table 4, the arms terminating in inwardly projecting stub shafts 2U, pivotally mounted in the side wings 5 of the table 4, and permitting the keeper I! to be swung upwardly, to clear the book IE, or downwardly, to hold the book open. In order that the keeper I! may be adjusted according to the height of the hook I6, the side wings 5 of the table 4 are equipped with spaced openings 2|, into which the stub shafts 20 of the keeper I! may be inserted, the keeper having resiliency enough to permit such an operation.

An inverted, U-shaped auxiliary frame 22 is provided, and, like the main frame I, may be formed of tubular stock. The auxiliary frame 22 comprises a head piece 23 and approximately parallel props 24, projecting from the head piece. A pivot rod 25 extends through the head piece 23 of the auxiliary frame 22, and has its ends mounted in the legs 3 of the main frame I. Thus, the auxiliary frame 22 is so mounted that the props can be swung to and from the legs 3 of the main frame I, to adjust the angle of the table 4 with respect to the Vertical. Friction elements 26, such as rubber buttons or suction cups, are secured to the lower ends of the props 24 and to the lower ends of the legs 3 of the main frame.

A pivot rod 21 has its ends mounted in the legs 3, above the pivot rod 25. On the pivot rod 21, the flattened ends 28 of braces 29 are mounted to swing. The braces 29 are mounted to reciprocate in guide blocks 30, pivoted at 3I to hook-shaped brackets 32, attached to the props 24 by securing members 33. Set screws 34 are threaded into the guide blocks 30 and engage the braces 29.

The article is capable of many uses, a few of which are illustrated in the drawings, further uses suggesting themselves readily to the operator. The main frame I may be set up on a bed, as shown in Fig. 1, and be held at any desired angle, by means of the props 24, it being possible to slack away the set screws 34 so that the braces 29 can slide through the guide blocks 30 and permit the props 24 to assume the desired angle with respect to the main frame I and the table 4.

Referring to Fig. 3, the lower ends of the legs 3 of the main frame I may be lodged in the angle defined by the seat and the back of a chair 35, the props 24 engaging the floor 36, to dispose the main frame I and the table 4 at any desired angle with respect to the horizontal. In Fig. 3, the device is shown as forming an efifective reading desk for use in connection with a chair.

Referring to Fig. 2, the main frame I and the table 4 may be disposed in a horizontal position, the inner end of the main frame being supported on the arms of a chair 3?, or on thelap of a person occupying the chair. The table 4, being horizontally disposed, may beused tocarry any articles 33 which demand that the table 4-be disposed in a horizontal position.

The article may be folded into compact compass, for carryingabout. With this end in View,

' rings 3Q are held by clips 49 on the end member 2 ofthe main frame l, the rings being adapted to cooperate with snaps Mat the ends of a fiexible element 42. The flexible element 42 may be long enough to serve as a shoulder strap, or short enough to serve as a carrying handle.

The chair 3? of Fig. 2 may not be available for the support of the article, and the operator 4 may desire to attach what is the lower part of the frame 5 in Fig. 1, to his body, the props Z4 aiding in holding the main frame I and the table 4 in a horizontal position. The article,

under such conditions, is adapted for the use of ticket sellers or pitchmen. In order to facilitate such an operation, rings 43 are secured by eye bolts 44 to the parts 3 of the main frame I, the strap 42 of Fig. 10 being passed around the body of the operator, or over his shoulders. In order to facilitate the mounting of the nuts 45 on the eye bolts 44, the parts 3 of the main frame I are supplied with openings 46, disposed opposite to the shanks of the eye bolts.

Since patentable novelty cannot be predicated upon manner'of use, but must be grounded in structure, no effort has been made to illustrate all possible uses. The article is capable of many employments which the needs of the operator will suggest,

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is:

An article support comprising an upper end member and depending legs, a table for which the legs form a carrier, the table being provided with'side wings extended behind the .legs..and aifording a vertical "adjustable connection between the tableand the legs, an article'retaim'ng bail extended across the tableand having inwardly extended (stub shafts .ipivotally .-'mounted in the wings andheld against end-wise movement by engagementbetween the bailand itheiwings, the wings being spaced from the legs,-:to:space the stub shafts from the legs, vanda vertically adjustable connection between the .upper portion of the table and the end member, theconnection being a clamping connection, releasably holding the .table against swinging -.sidewise.

ERNEST EVERETT HAWK. 

